Dear Evyatar and Rom,
Boys, my heart aches for you. I have been reflecting on the images we've seen over the past few days. I was planning to write an article, but I would rather write to you personally.
What you have gone through with your frail bodies, the unimaginable trials you’re enduring as captives of Hamas ~ break us.
Yet, amid this darkness of these dungeons, I want to remind you of a truth that has sustained God’s people through every trial: the Lord sees you, He knows you, and He is near. Psalm 34:18 in the Bible says, “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” You are not forgotten, not by your families, not by Israel, and certainly not by the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God promises to be near to the broken-hearted, and He is our source of strength, courage, and wisdom during these difficult times.
Evyatar, Rom, you’re in a fire right now, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in Daniel 3. They faced a furnace, but the Lord was with them, and they came out without even the smell of smoke.
I’m praying the Lord gives you strength and sends His angels to camp around you. Psalm 34:7 says, “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” That “angel of the Lord” is actually a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus (a Christophany), as He surrounds and hovers around you lads at this time! There’s no need to fear Him, but hold close to Him in these torturous times. Your courage, even in those awful videos, shines brighter than ever. Cling to Him, lads ~ He’s writing a story in your lives that’ll glorify His name.
Now, let us talk about what is happening in the Middle East, because it’s heavy on our hearts, and it’s tied to God’s promises. Israel, your homeland, is at a crossroads. As I write this in, we see Israel taking bold steps to reassert control in Gaza, establishing a military presence in areas like Netzarim and Philadelphi to choke off Hamas’s supply lines.
Evyatar and Rom, this should’ve happened long ago ~ back when Naftali Bennett, as prime minister in 2021-2022, warned that Hamas’s buildup in Gaza was a ticking bomb. Bennett pushed for more decisive pre-emptive actions, arguing that Gaza’s terror infrastructure needed dismantling before another October 7, 2023, could happen.
That day, when you were taken from the Nova festival, it showed the cost of delay. Over 1,200 lives lost, hundreds like you still in captivity, I feel deeply, and I believe that taking decisive action earlier might’ve prevented a great deal of pain.
But let’s look at God’s Word. In Genesis 15:18, God made a covenant with Abraham, promising the land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates to his descendants. Israel’s fight today isn’t just politics; it’s rooted in God’s unchanging promise. This promise finds its ultimate fulfilment in Jesus when He returns, as Isaiah 9:1-7 declares: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light…
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end”.
This speaks of Jesus, the Messiah, who’ll bring light to Israel’s darkness and establish His eternal kingdom when He returns. The river may be the Wadi el Arish, a wee watercourse at the natural boundary of Egypt and Israel, and the River Euphrates in Syria.
Evyatar and Rom, as ye face this dark hour, hold fast to this hope ~ Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will return to set all things right, ruling with justice and bringing everlasting peace to Israel and the world.
Yet, we also see the heartbreak in Gaza ~ civilians caught under Hamas’s cruel rule, starving because aid is hoarded or blocked.
It’s a right mess or guddle here in Scotland, and it puts me in mind of Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (NKJV). Lads, this mess in Gaza ~ Hamas’s hatred, the suffering of folk on both sides ~ shows we’re all broken, Jews and Gentiles alike.
Nobody can live up to God’s holy standard; we’ve all missed the mark. Our hearts are wayward, and we cannot fix ourselves. But here’s the hope: Jesus, the Prince o’ Peace, is our only way. He took our sin on the cross, and through Him, we find forgiveness and reconciliation. Evyatar, Rom, pray for His peace to cover ye and this troubled land.
Hamas’s hatred, their refusal to recognise Israel’s right to exist, is a spiritual battle as much as a physical one. Ephesians 6:12 tells us we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers. That’s why we pray, not just for Israel’s victory, but for hearts to turn to the Messiah.
In my daily readings of Esther and Mordecai over the last few days, I came across a powerful message of hope for you in the final chapters of Esther during my time before the Lord.
Esther, a young Jewish woman, faced a deadly plot by Haman, who sought to destroy God’s people. The last two nights, I was reading Esther chapters 8-10, where we see her and her father-figure, Mordecai, turn the tide ~ not by their own strength, but by God’s mighty hand.
Esther 8:17 says, “In every province and city… the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday.” God turned their sorrow into joy! Haman’s evil, much like Hamas’s today, was defeated because God is faithful.
You’re in a dark place, lads, but like Esther, you’re called “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).
God isn’t finished with you or with Israel. He’s working in Gaza through Israel’s stand to protect His people, just as He did in Persia.
Hold fast ~ your deliverance is coming, and it will be a testimony to God’s glory.
Evyatar and Rom, I say: your suffering is not in vain. God is using you, even now, to awaken the world. The videos Hamas released, meant to break Israel’s spirit, have instead sparked prayers worldwide. Here in Scotland, our church and I are on our knees for you all.
Leaders like France’s Macron and the EU’s Kallas have spoken out for your release, though their talk of a Palestinian state stirs debate. I sincerely feel it’s misguided, maybe even influenced by nations like Qatar, which have their agendas.
He’s got a point ~ any peace that doesn’t crush Hamas’s terror and secure Israel risks rewarding evil. Psalm 94:16 asks, “Who will rise up for me against the evildoers?” Israel’s push in Gaza, setting up bases and clearing tunnels, is an answer to that cry, even if it’s late.
But here’s the hope: God’s got the final word. Zechariah 12:9 promises that God will “seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.” Israel’s not just fighting for land; they’re fulfilling a role in God’s plan.
And yet, Jesus said in Matthew 5:44, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you.” That’s tough, but it’s our call.
We pray for you, Evyatar and Rom, to come home. We pray for Gaza’s people, trapped by Hamas’s evil corruption and sin. And we pray for Israel’s leaders ~ Netanyahu, the IDF, even those who didn’t heed Bennett’s warnings ~ to have wisdom (James 1:5).
Boys, you’re in our prayers daily. To everyone reading this, let’s lift Evyatar and Rom before the throne of grace. Pray for their strength, their families’ comfort, and for God to move mightily in the Middle East.
The world’s a mess, but Jesus is coming back soon, and He’ll set it all right. Revelation 22:20 says, “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” Hang on, brothers. Gods got you.
With love in Christ,
Peter
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